Respirator-Attachable Lamp Unit

Abstract

A Respirator-Attachable Lamp Unit. The lamp unit is attachable to a conventional respirator mask or gas mask without obstructing the mask or modifying its operation. The lamp unit, once installed, provides the user with a hands-free light source. The lamp unit may be formed in a horseshoe-shaped housing having a translucent front lens surrounding the speech module of the mask. An external power source may be provided for extended use situations. A user is able to select from a variety of wavelengths for the light emitted from the lamp unit. LED light elements are one type of light source employed by the lamp unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lamp device, comprising:
 a horseshoe-shaped housing defined by a wall surrounding the horseshoe-shaped perimeter of said housing, said housing having an open front side opposing an open back side;   a translucent lens covering said open front side;   a rear cover covering said open back side; and   light-producing means located within the interior chamber defined by said housing, said lens and said rear cover.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said housing, said lens and said rear cover each define an outer periphery in substantial relative alignment; and   said rear cover further defines a retaining web extending across a central bore defined by said housing.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said horseshoe shape comprises an arcuate first arm extending from an arcuate second arm, said arms meeting at a central arch. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said wall of said housing further comprises an inner wall defining said central bore and an outer wall defining said outer periphery, and said inner wall further comprises a second arcuate section at said central arch. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a battery pack and power cable connected to said housing. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said light-producing means comprises a lamp module housed within said interior chamber, said lamp module comprising:
 a substrate member;   one or more light-producing elements attached to said substrate member cooperatively with said lens whereby light emitted by said one or more light-producing elements is viewable through said lens; and   an electrical connection between said power cable.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one said light-producing element emits light in a wavelength visually perceptible to the human senses, and at least one said light-producing element emits light in a wavelength that is not visually perceptible to the human senses. 
     
     
         8 . A combination face mask and lamp device, comprising:
 a face mask, comprising:
 a mask base configured to seal to the front of a human face; 
 a view window formed to seal an aperture formed in said mask base; 
 a speech bore formed through said mask base oriented to be juxtaposed over a human mouth when said mask base is worn on a human face; and 
 a speech module attachable to said speech bore; 
   a lamp device, comprising:
 a housing defining a central bore, said central bore formed such that said speech bore can protrude therethrough; 
 a translucent lens forming an outer wall of said housing; and 
 light-emitting means contained within said housing, behind said lens; and 
   whereby said lamp device is attachable to said face mask by removing said speech module, placing said central bore of said housing over said speech bore and then reattaching said speech module to said speech bore.   
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein said lamp device further comprises:
 said housing comprising a horseshoe-shaped housing defined by a wall surrounding the horseshoe-shaped perimeter of said housing, said housing having an open front side opposing an open back side;   said translucent lens covering said open front side;   a rear cover covering said open back side; and   light-producing means located within the interior chamber defined by said housing, said lens and said rear cover.   
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein said light-producing means comprises a lamp module housed within said interior chamber, said lamp module comprising:
 a substrate member; and   one or more light-producing elements attached to said substrate member cooperatively with said lens whereby light emitted by said one or more light-producing elements is viewable through said lens.   
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein at least one said light-producing element emits light in a wavelength visually perceptible to the human senses, and at least one said light-producing element emits light in a wavelength that is not visually perceptible to the human senses. 
     
     
         12 . An attachment for a gasmask, the gasmask defined by a mask base configured to seal to the front of a human face, a view window formed to seal an aperture formed in said mask base, a speech bore formed through said mask base oriented to be juxtaposed over a human mouth when said mask base is worn on a human face, a speech module attachable to said speech bore, said attachment comprising:
 a housing defining a central bore, said central bore formed such that said speech bore can protrude therethrough when said attachment is attached to said gasmask;   a translucent lens forming an outer wall of said housing; and   light-emitting means contained within said housing, behind said lens.   
     
     
         13 . The attachment of  claim 12 , wherein said housing and lens each comprise a first arm and a second arm said arms defining a generally arcuate shape around said central bore. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment of  claim 13 , further comprising a first power switch disposed on a distal end defined by said first arm. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment of  claim 14 , further comprising a second power switch disposed on a distal end defined by said second arm. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said housing comprises a horseshoe-shaped housing defined by a wall surrounding the horseshoe-shaped perimeter of said housing, said housing having an open front side opposing an open back side;   said translucent lens covering said open front side; and   a rear cover covering said open back side.   
     
     
         17 . The attachment of  claim 16 , wherein said light-emitting means selectively emits light in a wavelength visually perceptible to the human senses, and further selectively emits light in a wavelength that is not visually perceptible to the human senses.